Lake Vermillion is near Tower, MN. It's about 20miles from Ely. Not too far from Bear Head Lake State Park either. I'm not exactly sure where the purchased land is located though.

It is located just a mile or so east of Soudan mine. And from what I just heard last weekend, once Vermillion is developed, it will be one of the biggest parks. Soudan mine will then just become a satellite of Vermillion and managed from the Vermillion office. Not sure of the accuracy of that information though.

I would be surprised to see a cache in the park anytime soon. Although the state went through with the deal to purchase the land, there is no infrastructure - no access road, no parking, etc, etc._________________Hmm...

I would be surprised to see a cache in the park anytime soon. Although the state went through with the deal to purchase the land, there is no infrastructure - no access road, no parking, etc, etc.

And unfortunately ... no money as of yet to build such! The 3000 acre former US Steel property has the potential to become a major jewel in the MN State Park crown. It will take sufficient funding (some 30 million), much planning & a lot of execution for that to happen though.

From the linked article:
"Officials with the Department of Natural Resources say they'll now move forward with getting the park ready for public use. DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten said they'll give public tours of the property this summer and try to get hiking paths available for use by the fall. He also said he hopes primitive camping will be allowed next spring."

Technically Lake Vermillion State Park is open to the public. But the DNR really isn't ready for the public yet. Last the DNR crews were busy turning an old cabin into a day use picnic area, mostly for people who boat in. A fire pit, portable toilet, picnic tables and a dock have been readied along a cove of Armstrong bay.
From a nice write up in the today's Duluth News Trib.
Peace_________________Don't be Bitter, Reconsider!!

My brother (Fargoclimber) used the new state park as his thesis project for his masters in architecture. In his talks with the people in charge, he was informed that the park will be primarily a recreational park. Because US Steels cleared out so much land, it doesn't have quite the majestic power that some of the others have, so recreation was the way to go. This may have changed over the past year or so, but that mission could be good for geocaching.